BCES School Counseling Program

"Elementary school counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. Elementary school counselors don’t work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program. They provide proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students achieve school success. School counselors align with the school’s mission to support the academic achievement of all students as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century. This mission is accomplished through the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive, developmental and systematic school counseling program. ASCA’s Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success are the foundation for this work. The ASCA National Model: A Framework For School Counseling Programs (ASCA, 2002), with its data-driven and results-based focus, serves as a guide for today’s school counselor who is uniquely trained to implement this program "(https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/careers-roles/why-elementary-school-counselors).

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling is a personal and private interaction between a counselor and a student in which they work together on a problem or topic of interest.

Small Group Counseling

Small group counseling involves a counselor working with two or more together.  Group members have the opportunity to learn from each other.

       Classroom Curriculum

Classroom meetings offer the best opportunity to provide character development to the largest number of students in the school.

Consultation

The counselor  as  a consultant helps people be more effective in working with others.  Counselors consult with teachers, administrators, and parents.

Coordination

Coordination as a counselor intervention is the process of managing various indirect services which benefit students and being a liaison between school and community.

"Elementary school years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skill necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, school counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community to create a caring climate and atmosphere. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, school counselors can help all children achieve academic success. The elementary school counselor holds a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional association membership enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness "(https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/careers-roles/why-elementary-school-counselors.)